Tigresses underdogs vs Lady Eagles

Games Tuesday (Philsports Arena, Pasig City)

2 p.m. – Ateneo vs UST

4 p.m. – NU vs Adamson

MANILA, Philippines - Santo Tomas coach Odjie Mamon knows the Tigresses will be the underdogs when they take on an Ateneo team that boasts of two of the best attackers in the Shakey’s V-League right now.

Mamon, a tall, imposing figure, was referring to the power-hitting tandem of Thai Jaroensri Bualee and Rachel Daquis.

“Obviously, we’re the underdogs because they have talented reinforcements in Bualee and Daquis, against whom we expect to have problems,” said Mamon, moments after edging Perpetual Help, 21-25, 25-18, 25-22, 19-25, 15-11, Thursday to seal the fourth and last berth in the Final Four.

“So we have to really work hard and concentrate on executing our plays,” he added.

In turning back the Lady Altas, the Tigresses relied on the crisp-spiking Maika Ortiz, who unloaded 23 hits, but also from other sources – Aiza Maizo, Jessey de Leon, Pamela Lastimosa and Carmela Tunay.

Maizo, De Leon, Lastimosa and Tunay scattered 12, 11, 10 and 10 hits, respectively, in that win, with their stars Maruja Banaticla and Judy Caballejo starting to ease their way back into the lineup after focusing on training as beach volley players.

The good thing though for UST is that Banaticla and Caballejo, who played a big role late in the fifth and deciding set of its last game, will be a big addition to the Morayta-based school’s already-loaded roster.

“We’re slowly easing them (Banaticla and Caballejo) back into the team and they will be key in our campaign. We need them to really contribute,” said Mamon.

Mamon also voiced his concern on Maizo and Tunay, who are not yet in tip-top shape after recovering recently from fever.

“We have a few days left for everyone of us to rest and recover, I pray that it’s enough,” he said.

Ateneo coach Roger Gorayeb, who finished with a 2-1 record in the quarterfinals, thinks UST is more dangerous than what it appears to be.

“If you look closely at their team, UST is very, very strong. They will not make it this far if they’re not,” said Gorayeb.